Are there notable Roman individuals or families that were able to benefit from the fall of the Roman Empire? If so, how did they seize the opportunity?

by SisyphusAmericanus

For a more contemporary parallel, some Russian “oligarchs” benefited greatly from privatization after the fall of the USSR.

Which individuals were are the right place at the right time to benefit from Rome’s fall?

I’m particularly interested in Romans who were able to turn their misfortune into profit - as the benefits to outsiders such as the Visigoths are comparatively obvious.

Herissony_DSCH5

Since Rome didn't just fall all at once, it's thought that the Roman aristocracy maintained most of their influence in provincial towns, particularly within the Church and the civil service in the early years. Most of the Germanic successor rulers admired Roman law and administration and employed Romans.
An outstanding example of a Roman who continued serving under the Germanic successor states was Cassiodorus (Flavius Magnus Aurelius Cassiodorus Senator ). He served in the administration of Theoderic as magister officiorum and eventually rose under Theoderic's successors to the office of praetorian prefect before the Eastern Roman Empire reconquered Italy under Justinian. He then spent a number of years in Constantinople and eventually retired and founded a monastery. in Italy.

You could also cite the politician and philosopher Boethius ( Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius) as another example, but he didn't end up so well as Cassiodorus--Theoderic had him executed on charges of conspiracy in 524. But his Consolation of PHilosophy, written while he was imprisoned and awaiting execution, was hugely influential in the Middle Ages.